The Light Brigade (novel)
| Company type | Novel |
|---|---|
| Industry | Literature, Science fiction |
| Founded | 2019 |
| Founder | Kameron Hurley |
| Products | Science fiction novel |
The Light Brigade is a science fiction novel released in 2019 by Kameron Hurley, presenting a stark depiction of warfare and economic exploitation within a dystopian future setting. The book offers a critical examination of both military conflict and capitalist systems, earning nominations for the 2020 Hugo Award and Locus Award.
Plot summary
The narrative unfolds in a bleak, post-apocalyptic era where six dominant mega-corporations govern society. This world is sharply divided between privileged corporate citizens who serve corporate agendas and marginalized individuals known as "ghouls." Private military forces employed by corporations engage in combat against Martian separatists, accused of annihilating São Paulo's population using mysterious technology during an event called "the Blink." Soldiers, referred to as "grunts," are transformed into light particles and deployed across distant battle zones; those who survive often return changed, but any disclosure of their experiences results in severe penalties, enforcing strict silence.
Dietz, recently drafted into the infantry of Tene-Silvia—one of the Big Six corporate entities—enlists driven by a desire for vengeance after losing family members in the Blink. However, Dietz’s combat deployments become temporally disjointed from the unit’s timeline, resulting in missions occurring out of chronological order and encounters with familiar yet unfamiliar comrades. Through these experiences, Dietz begins to detect inconsistencies between the frontline realities and the official corporate accounts.
As Dietz grapples with distinguishing truth from possible combat-related confusion, the central struggle revolves around uncovering the actual circumstances behind the conflict while enduring its relentless brutality.
Reception
In a starred critique, Kirkus Reviews characterizes The Light Brigade as "a captivating and brilliantly perplexing journey that fittingly concludes in enlightenment," suggesting multiple readings. Library Journal praises it as an "engrossing and gritty narrative" authored by a seasoned writer. Booklist awarded it a starred review, drawing parallels to Philip K. Dick’s Now Wait for Last Year, describing it as "a compelling depiction of a ravaged near future" and strongly endorsing it for science fiction enthusiasts and readers seeking an exhilarating futuristic vision.
Publishers Weekly included the novel in its "PW Picks" with a starred review, dubbing it a "clever, harsh, and structurally intricate military science fiction story featuring a time travel element," likening it to Joe Haldeman’s The Forever War for its combination of gripping future warfare narrative and sharp antiwar message. The review emphasizes the novel’s complex structure and its pointed critique of aggressive, militarized capitalism. Andrew Liptak of The Verge compares the work to Robert Heinlein's Starship Troopers, calling it "a fitting successor," while commending Hurley’s incisive critique of capitalism and war within a future where corporations exert total control over citizens' lives.
Awards
- Nominee for the Hugo Award for Best Novel (2020)
- Nominee for the Locus Award for Best Science Fiction Novel (2020)
- Nominee for the Arthur C. Clarke Award (2020)
- Winner of the Premio Ignotus for Mejor Novela Extranjera (2020)
- Nominee for the Goodreads Choice Award in Science Fiction (2019)
- Nominee for the Dragon Award for Best Military Science Fiction or Fantasy Novel (2019)